In a dimly lit apartment in the suburbs of Mumbai, Shaunak Sengupta, a 30-year-old project manager at a technology company, sinks into his bean bag after a long day of work. The muffled sounds of the bustling city outside mix with the soft hum of a ceiling fan that brings much-needed relief in the sweltering May heat. Shaunak takes a deep breath, enjoying the quiet moment. Then the sound of his gaming rig fills the room, occasionally interrupted by the beep of incoming game notifications. As he logs into his favourite multiplayer game of the month (Helldivers 2 in this case), his eyes light up with anticipation as he prepares to drop down from orbit to reclaim colonised lands.
This scene, which is becoming increasingly common across India, reflects a significant shift in entertainment preferences. The appeal of traditional television is waning, replaced by the immersive and interactive world of gaming. Shaunak’s story is not unique; it reflects the changing habits of millions of Indian gamers who are redefining the way they spend their free time.
The gaming and digital entertainment industry in India is experiencing an unprecedented boom, changing the landscape of content creation and consumption across the country. According to estimates by venture capital firms, by 2023, the Indian gaming industry is set to reach a market size of $3.1 billion, which is projected to grow at a CAGR of 20%.
